Healthy volunteers needed for Parkinson's disease study

Parkinson’s disease is an age-related neurological disorder that affects about one million Americans’ quality of life by causing motor and other dysfunctions, despite patients being on the best treatments available. Understanding the exact cause, and assessing a treatment to slow or stop the progression of the disease are hindered by the lack of a widely available, yet reliable, marker for its progression as it unfolds in Parkinson's patients. The goal of this study is to establish MRI measurements, potentially leading to a better understanding of the cause of Parkinson's and improved assessment of potential neuroprotective agents.

Participants will be asked to complete neuropsychological, mood and sleep questionnaires and have an MRI scan. These will be repeated one and a half years and three years later.

Blood work, including a fasting cholesterol profile, will be drawn at the first visit only.

Eligible participants should be between 40 and 70 years old, have no major medical condition, such as heart disease or a neurological disorder, have no memory impairment and not be claustrophobic.

Compensation is provided.

For more information, call Eleanore Hernandez at 717-531-0003, x281167.

This research study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board, under federal regulations, at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.